Aleksei77
Active Member
I have now had extensive further discussions with the manufacturers and contained in this article are, I hope, the answers to these questions. Hopefully this one can now be ‘put to bed’. Here is a summary of the questions and concerns:
1. D5 lists many uses on the side of the can but it does not list ‘potentiometers’. The implication is that this product should not be used on potentiometers.
2. F5 specifically mentions potentiometers on the can. The implication is that only this (DeOxit) product should be used on potentiometers.
3. D5 contains mineral spirits. These are harmful to carbon tracks. F5 does not contain mineral spirits. The implication is that here is more proof that this is the one to use for potentiometers. All three of these implications are false. Summary TL/DR
• Neither D5 or F5 are harmful to carbon track potentiometers.
• Both D5 and F5 use mineral spirits as a flushing agent, in exactly the same proportions, i.e. 75%
• D5 will work on all carbon track potentiometers regardless of if the problem is surface contamination or oxidisation of the metal wiper.
• F5 was formulated for conductive plastic faders/pots. The lubrication is important in these components.
F5 will not help with oxidized metal parts as it contains no deoxidization chemical.
• In the latest packaging, DeOxit D5 has ‘potentiometers’ on the list of uses on the side of the can. Here is the full explanation. Since the earliest days of electronics the search has been on for a solvent which would clean switch contacts, potentiometers and suchlike. For decades the ‘go to’ solution was Freon. It flushed away contaminants and evaporated rapidly. However, as we now know Freon is very environmentally damaging and is banned in most countries. The search was then on to find an alternative. For some time MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) was used as an organic solvent but this is still fairly damaging and attacks many plastics. Mineral spirits were then used as the ‘least worst’ option (environmentally). There are many different formulations and strength of ‘mineral spirits’ – it is a catch-all term. DeOxit D5 uses mineral spirits as the flushing agent. A ‘flushing agent’ is the chemical which washes away surface contaminants mostly via mechanical action. DeOxit D5 uses one of the milder formulations and strengths of OMS (Odourless Mineral Spirits). The sole purpose of the mineral spirits in D-Series products is to flush (wash) away surface contaminants. Despite ongoing myths to the contrary, mineral spirits do not attack or ‘eat’ carbon. In addition to the mineral spirit flushing agent, D-Series products also contains an anti-oxidisation formulation, the effect of which will now be explained. A potentiometer consists of two surfaces in contact with each other. Commonly this is a metal ‘wiper’ and a carbon track. The mineral spirits in D-Series will wash away surface contaminants (dust, grease, dirt etc.). Many other solvent sprays will do the same of course, even alcohol will do this. but sometimes the metal wiper contact is oxidised. In this case no amount of solvent spray will improve the potentiometer. The deoxidisation chemicals in all D-Series sprays will remove the oxidation from the metal surfaces. It is this dual action which makes it so effective on potentiometers. Aside: I have many times tried isopropyl alcohol and other solvent sprays on pots. It seems to work about 50% of the time. The other 50% of the time it does not work. If I then use D5 on the same pot, it is completely fixed. In these instances, I believe the metal contact was oxidised and required the deoxidisation chemicals in D5 to cure it – alcohol and many other sprays have no effect on oxidisation. There are 3 products in the D-Series. Here is what each one does.
1. DeOxit D5 – as described above. A mineral spirits ‘flush’ to remove contaminants. Then a powerful deoxidiser to remove oxidation from the metal wiper. Downside - you can overspray and as it doesn’t evaporate it needs mopping up.
2. DeOxit DN5 – if you don’t need a flushing action this product delivers the deoxidiser via a fast evaporation solvent. Good for more precise delivery of the deoxidation element and no residual liquid.
3. DeOxit D100S This is 100% deoxidation product with no solvent delivery chemical. FADER F5 Product This product was specially formulated for linear conductive plastic film slider potentiometers. E.g. Faders on mixing desks. It contains the same percentage mineral spirits (75%) as D5. It also has a lubricant to aid fader travel. This product can also be used on potentiometers. However, if the potentiometer is faulty due to metal oxidisation on the wiper, then a better product would be the D-series (e.g. D5). Very Old/Valuable Potentiometers. With very old and worn potentiometers it might not be advisable to use any spray with a flushing action as the mechanical action of this may under rare circumstances further loosen any material, Instead use DN5 for accurate delivery. Summary TL/DR
• Neither D5 or F5 are harmful to carbon track potentiometers.
• Both D5 and F5 use mineral spirits as a flushing agent, in exactly the same proportions, i.e. 75%
• D5 will work on all carbon track potentiometers regardless of if the problem is surface contamination or oxidisation of the metal wiper.
• F5 was formulated for conductive plastic faders/pots. The lubrication is important in these components. F5 will not help with oxidized metal parts as it contains no deoxidization chemical.
• In the latest packaging, DeOxit D5 has ‘potentiometers’ on the list of uses. I hope this provides a full explanation and draws a line under this topic.
